Page 14 of Unconditionally With Me
I growl, because I’ve never won a war of words with him in the three years we’ve been together. I don’t know why I think I’d start now.
“I don’t know why either.” I roll my eyes when I realize I’ve spoken aloud. “But Elle, I waited my whole damn life to meet you, to fall in love with you. I saw you across the aisle at my brother’s wedding and felt like I’d been punched in the chest. If you think for a moment I’m going to give up on you because you’re afraid, you haven’t a damn clue how much I love you.”
Then he sweeps me up in his arms before depositing me in the chair. “Now, don’t move. I have to clean up the mess.”
“Then what?” I ask wearily.
“Then we make plans. Because if you think you’re going to Seattle without me, you’ve really lost your mind.”
I gape at Julian as he goes to get the mop and some paper towels. “Who invited you?” I call out.
“I just invited myself.”
Even as I bury my hands and screech, I can’t help but smile because the move is so utterly Julian.
* * *
The evening endedup nothing like either of us expected, I’m certain of that. Instead of mad sex—either the celebratory or goodbye kind—Julian is poring over the documents I’ve received from the estate attorney at my kitchen table.
I’ve baked a dark chocolate pecan pie and made coffee while he does.
Finally, he sits back and lets out a whistle. “Damn, Elle. Did you put crack in those cookies for Rachel? For the record, you’re buying dinner when we get to Seattle since you’re officially worth millions.”
I burst out laughing before I walk over and drop into his lap. My soul settles when I lay my head on his shoulder. “I should have told you sooner.”
“Yeah, but you just found out. You get a pass on this one.”
“What don’t I get a pass on?”
“Not talking to me about your fears.” His dark eyes bore into mine.
I squirm in his lap, but he holds me steady. “I honestly don’t think I recognized it.”
“And you likely wouldn’t have said anything to anyone to rely on other than Trina. And you knew she’d have immediately told Jonas. Who would have kicked my ass. Which he should have done.”
“Julian, no,” I protest.
“Elle, yes. You’re everything to me.”
Even as the warmth of his words surrounds me, they also confuse me because it’s been three years. We used to be on the same page, and now I feel like I’ve skipped a few chapters. I wave at the table. “I only told her about all of this today. And I was blunt about it—probably too blunt considering the topic.”
He squeezes me. “You’ll make it up to her.”
“I know.” Because it’s a night for it, I blurt out, “I feel like I lost myself along the way.”
Instead of getting upset, Julian begins to stroke my hair. “When?”
“Sometime between my breakup with Erik and right now.” I tip my head back so I can meet his thoughtful brown eyes. “But…”
“But what?”
“But when I’m in your arms, things feel right. I just need to feel like I can be me the times I’m not.”
Julian squeezes me so hard, my breath rushes out of me with a whoosh. Then he stands with me in his arms, cradling me like I’m something precious. “Then that’s what you need to focus on the next few weeks,” he decides.
“That’s not giving very good girlfriend,” I say as he strides through my apartment toward the bedroom.
“Maybe it’s time I started giving better boyfriend.”
